30 September 2009

Farewell, Clouds of Kisses

Before I knew it, they were gone. I used to receive kisses in generous amounts from Callum when he first learned the right way to kiss (he used to think that kissing involved making a clucking sound with his tongue). Once mastered, his kisses were usually bestowed in a profuse display of technique: first one cheek, then the other, then lips, nose, and even my forehead, and sometimes a second time around the face. David's favorite part was when Callum would proclaim "I kiss nose" before pulling your face toward him with his hands on your cheeks. Then without my noticing it, he just stopped. /Sob! Now he just gives me one kiss on the lips, although kissing me on the nose sometimes still creeps in.

29 September 2009

School Lunch Mix-n-Match

As I was contemplating the upcoming "Lunch Box Days" which Kindercraft has scheduled to introduce the older kids to the idea of packed lunches (since Anya and her friends will all be starting school next year), I stumbled across this excellent article: What Do Other Countries Eat For School Lunch

This article, too, was quite interesting: What Chef's Kids Eat

I was very inspired by another site about Japanese lunches, Bento Gallery, which says that Japanese often plan the dinner meal around what would make good leftovers for including in the lunch box. I wish I had the nerve to give Anya a bento lunch (rice! vegetables! chicken!) but I fear she would much prefer a sandwich like all the other little Aussies. Maybe I can make her an Aussie bento lunch with her favorites to introduce the concept: boiled egg, avocado, pasta shapes, cheese & fruit pieces.

28 September 2009

Let's Go Swimming!

Swimming weather is definitely upon us. This weekend we went swimming at Don's (the family was actually away so we just went to the back yard) and both kids loved getting a dip after a hot and dusty day, even though the water was so cold. I encouraged them to swim around but they mainly enjoyed jumping in over and over. They also were too tempted by the inflatable boat I'd brought along, so we only had a short swim before they were shivering violently (while still wanting to stay in).

Last weekend we went to the beach and Anya started catching waves -- very exciting. She was just in the very shallow water but it was thrilling that she was getting into it, instead of fussing about the waves hitting her. David loves to bodysurf. Personally I find the waves a bit strong here and prefer what David calls "boring" days (when the waves are very small). I also love when I can just float in the water without worrying about getting saltwater up my nose or a rip tide pulling me away -- I'm not really into the surfing part, I just like to relax in the water. I was embarassed (during the weekend) to be asked by a young surfer if I needed help -- he misinterpreted my lolling about for inexpert swimming.

Tales from the B Side

(or, "Further Evidence of a Y Chromosome")

My sweet little boy climbed into bed with me for our customary morning snuggle. He had his Wags the Dog and Anthony toys -- it has always surprised me how much more he likes stuffed toys than his sister. We nestled in together, and then he clashed his toys against each other, and yelled, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

23 September 2009

Freaky Weather in Brisbane

I've been tapping away at my computer since arriving at work this morning, and had no idea this was going on outside:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/dust-storm-covers-brisbane-in-haze-20090923-g0wm.html

And here is my own contribution to the pool of photos:
Dust Storm Over UQ 24-Sep-09

21 September 2009

The Positions One Finds Oneself In

Tonight I looked after the kids on my own -- David went rock climbing after work -- and they just went NUTS. Driving home: OK. Dinner (during the drive): OK. Checking the mailbox (a ritual they love): OK. Anya was thrilled to receive a letter from me and we duly headed inside to open it.

It was after this that the trouble began. Or maybe slightly before this, because I noticed it was about to rain, and detoured briefly to take some laundry off the line. Callum didn't like this, because when he is reunited with me after a few hours apart, he needs to be carried or sit in my lap for a LONG time before he is topped up again and happy to wander out of close physical contact with me.

But I grabbed the laundry pretty quickly, and got him to hold it while I held him; this was OK. We went inside and somehow or another, instead of getting Callum undressed and into a bath, this degenerated into a nude roly-poly on the kitchen floor. First, Anya got me to draw her a picture (while Callum climbed all over me and interfered as best he could) which she started colouring in while I undressed Callum. He kept saying, "No bath! No bath!" so the undressing happened in stages, in between crawling between my legs, hiding behind me and pretending to pop out, then ultimately, climbing on my back and yelling "NEIGH!" (by which time he was fully nude).

Anya found this too good an idea to resist, so then there was some pushing and shoving and wailing about whose turn it was to ride up top. I found it completely ludicrous to be hunched over on all fours, while one nude little boy screamed and one fully dressed little girl sobbed... (I eventually solved it by giving them each one more turn, then briskly saying it was BATHTIME NOW.)

15 September 2009

the zen of parenting

just a short thought for today. realised today that when I am with Anya or Callum, I make a conscious effort to be "in the now." focussing purely on how it feels to be with them. funny, because at the same time, at this age it is crucial to be aware at all times of the clock so that they get to eat, sleep, etc at the right times.

14 September 2009

Circus Stuff

I can do an Amazon, Mermaid, Monkey Roll, Gazelle and Shoulder Stand, among other things. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out my latest obsession at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaguarish/tags/circa/

You can also check out the training centre at:
http://www.rocknrollcircus.com/

01 September 2009

Queen of the Non Sequitur

Here are two recent conversations with Anya, both of which made me think, "What the?!"

First, in the car as we all were starting the day (kids going to Kindercraft, us going to work)...


Anya: Dad, why do you have a purple shirt?
David: Does this look purple to you? It looks blue to me.
(I look over. Yep, baby blue with yellow pinstripes.)
Anya: DAD, why do you have a purple shirt?
David: I don't have a purple shirt, I have a blue shirt.

Anya: No Dad, why do you have a purple shirt AT HOME?

Second, in the car as I was taking Anya to circus class (David and Callum stayed home)...

Elaine: You know Anya, I am a little sad that you're growing up. Do you know why?
Anya: Mmmm?
Elaine: I miss taking care of you - when you were little. I miss my baby Anya, even though I'm proud of my big strong Anya.
(Long pause, during which I imagine Anya is pondering this and coming up with a poignant response.)
Anya: If a big giant comes, I will bop him on the nose!